Women's Health, Zeeland Community Hospital

Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital Birthing Center Receives Prestigious International Award

Zeeland, Mich., November 19, 2018 – Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital announced today that it has received prestigious international recognition as a Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility by Baby Friendly USA.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc., is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund or UNICEF. The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

“The Family Birth Center at Zeeland Community Hospital is honored to be recognized for our commitment to supporting the goals of new mothers,” said Julianne Carey, director of nursing, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital. “This designation demonstrates that our care team advocates for patient choice by ensuring mothers have a complete understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding, whether they chose to or not.”

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide and 543 in the United States. The Baby-Friendly re-designation is given after a rigorous onsite survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.

“We have been practicing many of the baby-friendly principles for years at Zeeland Community Hospital,” Carey continued. “Our patients have grown to expect high-quality care and support that allows them to be successful. I am grateful for the talent and diligence of the entire Family Birth Center team. Their dedication to training, program development and patient support made this exceptional honor a reality.”

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained by contacting

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.

125 Wolf Road, Suite 402

Albany, NY 12205

Phone: 518-621-7982 Fax: 518-621-7983

Email: info@babyfriendlyusa.org. Web: www.babyfriendlyusa.org

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Contact:
Alexis Bolo Neal
Senior Communications Specialist
Email: alexis.boloneal@corewellhealth.org